Ubon Ratchathani is around 610 kilometres from Bangkok; the drive is eight to nine hours, depending how many stops are made. Alternatively, a flight is approximately one hour and ten minutes. If you drive, however, there are plenty of things to see along the way.
If you take a flight, Drive Car Rental can provide a car hire in Ubon Ratchathani Airport. For those who want to make a road trip of it, we have numerous Bangkok locations, including both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.
Let’s explore what there is to see on the way to Ubon Ratchathani and what to do when you arrive!
Road Tripping Through Thailand’s East
Travellers have two options to get to Ubon Ratchathani. One is heading to the north and connecting to Highway 24 going east. The other option is to head east toward the Cambodian border, and then connect to Highway 24 via one of several north-south roads.
Both routes are nearly identical in distance and travel time, despite heading in different directions. No matter which way you choose, the roads will take you around the edges of National Parks such as Khao Yai and Thap Lan. Don’t hesitate to pull over for scenic views of mountains, rice fields, and charming towns.
These routes converge in Buriram, where stunning sites await. The ancient ruins of Phanom Rung and Prasat Muang Tam might look familiar to some, thanks to their builders. The Khmer is the same empire that built the legendary Angkor Wat around 200 kilometres to the south in Cambodia.
The ruins in Buriram are exceptionally well preserved and are the largest Khmer structures in Thailand. The entire region is dotted with smaller ruins that can be found with a bit of help from a GPS add-on in a rental car.
After that, it’s smooth sailing to Ubon Ratchathani. Once here, the exhausted but delighted voyager should grab a bite and get some sleep before seeing what Ubon has to offer!
In and Around Ubon Ratchathani
What is there to do in Ubon Ratchathani? The first stop on any tour of the city should be Wat Phra That Nong Bua. This temple has a towering chedi unlike those at other temples. It is based on the Mahabodhi temple in India where the Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment. It can be seen from anywhere in town.
After the temple, head south across the street and go to Nong Bua Public Park. Here, visitors can find a calm city lake dotted with paths for walking and biking and plenty of shade trees. At night, it becomes even livelier, as couples walk around and youth groups gather for sports.
Sightseers lucky enough to come during the low season in July can experience the Candle Festival. This festival is one week long and is based on moon phases, like many Buddhist holidays.
The festival is meant to welcome the monsoon months of August and September. Artisans from all over Thailand descend on Ubon to make large and detailed wax sculptures. Some are as high as ten or twenty metres. Parades and decorative floats are also part of the fun, along with, of course, candles!
For a fun day trip outside of town, head east to Sirindhorn Reservoir. The highway loops around the northern edge of the lake and provides stunning views. On the other side of the lake near the Cambodian border is Wat Sirindhorn Wararam.
This temple features a beautiful tree mural on one end of the main hall, but the real magic can be seen after dark. Once the sun has gone down, the tree lights up thanks to special glow-in-the-dark paint, and the swirling tiles on the ground glow. To get the best of both worlds, visit during the day, grab a bite to eat, and return after dark.
Get around With Drive Car Rental
Whether you choose to drive from our Bangkok locations or fly in, Drive Car Rental has you covered. We have a wide array of vehicles to suit any need, including electric cars. Travellers planning on arriving in the high season between November to April should book early to ensure the best selection.
Expats and business travellers who need a longer-term rental without the hassle of buying a car can take advantage of discounted monthly and yearly rates. Book now and enjoy your vacation with ease!